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Being a Hall of Fame voter is one of the greatest privileges a baseball writer can have. It can also be one of the most difficult tasks.
There is a certain gravity to determining who can be referred to as a Hall of Famer for the rest of their lives. And perspectives change over time, allowing a voter to gain a greater appreciation of a player the further away he is from his career ending.
This year’s Hall of Fame voting results will be announced on Tuesday night, and candidates must be named on at least 75% of the ballots to be elected. Here are the 10 players I voted for and why:
Bobby Abreu
I never voted for Abreu before, but the more I’ve studied his case, the more I believe he is Hall-worthy. While he was selected to just two All-Star Games in his 18-year career, he had 2,470 hits, 400 stolen bases and a 128 OPS+.
Carlos Beltran
Taking part in the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal puts some taint on Beltran’s career. Not enough, though, to offset his 435 home runs, 312 steals and nine All-Star Game appearances.
Ryan Braun
He was suspended for PED use, but Braun was one of the game’s premier players until back problems curtailed his production. Yes, I vote for PED users. I’m a baseball writer, not a member of the morality police.
Andruw Jones
His career went downhill quickly after leaving the Atlanta Braves, but Jones was as exciting as any player in the game for a while, winning 10 Gold Gloves and playing in five All-Star Games.
Andy Pettitte
The left-hander won 256 regular-season games, and his teams won 23 of his 32 postseason starts, the time of the year when the left-hander shone.
Manny Ramirez
He hit 555 career home runs and had a 154 OPS+. PED suspensions or not, that cannot be erased from history.
Alex Rodriguez
He hit 696 career home runs and had 3,115 hits. PED suspensions or not, that cannot be erased from history.
Francisco Rodriguez
Relief pitchers have been gaining more acceptance from Hall voters in recent years. It’s time Rodriguez gets respect for his 437 career saves and his MLB-record 62 saves in 2008 for the Los Angeles Angels.
Chase Utley
Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins won National League MVP awards during Philadelphia’s run of five straight division titles from 2007-11, but Utley was the Phillies’ best player. Utley hit .299 and averaged 27 homers a year in that span, uncommon production for a second baseman.
Omar Vizquel
He had some ugly alleged off-field incidents after retirement, but he was also the best defensive shortstop I’ve ever watched. And, yes, that includes Ozzie Smith.
